"My Lord, before we go in, I would like to say a few words that I believe will be necessary for the audience later, so please allow me to use your name."
"Alright, I trust your judgment, so do whatever you think is best. You're basically my right hand, after all."
—So assassinate me quickly and painlessly, Zero.
"I'm grateful for your trust, my Lord."
Zerothiel opened the door, revealing a wide balcony. Standing there were Daelvachor, Aeris, Netel, and Erika. The three priestesses immediately knelt before Uriel.
"I'm glad to see you're well, Aeris."
"My Lord… my great Lord… my god. Everything is thanks to you, who opposed even death itself to save my soul. My entire life belongs to you."
"We were all waiting for you to awaken, my Lord."
"Daelvachor."
"My Lord, allow me to present your other Priestesses: Erika and Netel, the remaining two from the surviving temples."
"I see. I am the Lesser Deity of Vitalium, World Tree: Primordial Cherubim and Dark Tyrant Prince, Supreme Ruler of Abbadom. Uriel."
—Isn't that introduction a bit too long? Maybe I should've just said my name.
"What power and authority, my Lord. We prostrate before you."
—Uh?... Well… I guess they took it well.
"My Lord, if you allow me, I'll begin the presentation ceremony."
"Um… go ahead, Aeris."
Aeris walked with solemnity to the great balcony of the central bastion. Below, a sea of beings filled every visible corner: humans, Cherubims, beastmen, demons, elves, golems, hybrids… everyone had come. The murmur rose like a tremor, and when they recognized her, it exploded.
"That's her! The saint who returned from the dead!"
"She's the priestess who defied the false god and survived!"
"Aeris! Aeris is alive!"
Aeris raised her hands, demanding silence, and everyone instantly quieted. Her voice resonated—firm and radiant, as if her very soul spoke.
"I'm glad to see so many gathered here… oppressed and controlled by the power of the impostor god who had overtaken the world of our Lord Nih. However…" —her voice cracked briefly, but she continued with greater strength—"He returned for us. He came back to reclaim his world and his people. He is the rightful god of this land."
The crowd stirred. Some cried. Others knelt.
"Our Lord has returned!"
"Uriel! Uriel is Nih reborn!"
"Savior of the world!"
"His power and authority even defy death itself. I am proof of that. Chrom destroyed my soul… and even so, my Lord Uriel brought me back to life. It is a superior power—there is nothing like it in this world, nor any will that can oppose it."
A wave of awe swept through the crowd like electricity.
"Our Lord is the same as before. A god who thinks of all beings in Vitalium without exception. As proof, he is still a friend to demons, just as he was when he was the great Nih, allied with the Demon King Velkas."
A ripple of respect spread among the demons present.
"Lord Velkas! The pact has been renewed!"
"He acknowledges us!"
"At his side stands Master Zerothiel, loyal demon and servant of our Lord. The Dark Lord of distant Abbadom, lands already conquered under the will of our Lord Uriel. Let us now hear his words:"
Zerothiel stepped forward, raising his right hand with authority, his aura making even non-demons straighten instinctively.
"My name is Zerothiel, a name granted to me by my Lord Uriel. I govern Abbadom under the command and authority of Lord Uriel, who is the Supreme Lord of that land. I share a race with many of you who are demons, whether from Abbadom or from Vitalium, so I felt the oppression you felt—your sadness, your pain. However, I stand here to tell you a simple truth: there is no longer a church to the impostor Chrom. All temples have been repurposed for our Lord Uriel… the oppression you once felt shall now be nothing more than a bitter memory."
A shiver passed through the crowd.
"True!"
"Chrom was a liar, a thief!"
"Most beings with color were mentally enslaved by Chrom. They too are victims. But those who followed him of their own free will have been imprisoned. They will be judged."
"Let the real culprits not hide!"
"Let the roots of Vitalium be purified!"
"Let there be justice!"
"Listen, all of you. Despite this great achievement, Vitalium must not grow complacent. Chrom was not the only threat. This world and its people must endure. You must all become strong—physically and mentally. Weakness and laziness will not be tolerated in Vitalium."
The demons began roaring fervently.
"Strength or death!"
"Vitalium will be a world of warriors!"
"Yes! Yes! Yes!"
"To the kings gathered here, I order in the name of Uriel: provide resources for the creation of training grounds, academies, and forges. A Ranking will be established, supervised directly by me. Progress will be monitored and rewarded. Vitalium will be strong. Vitalium will never fall again—and certainly not under the rule of our Lord Uriel."
The shouts of the crowd now resembled a fully formed army.
"I swear it by my blood!"
"I will be worthy!"
"My soul is yours, Lord Uriel!"
Zerothiel stepped back. His eyes met Uriel's briefly and he nodded—like one who presents a newly plowed field for his lord to sow.
Aeris raised her voice again, trembling with emotion.
"And now… the moment we've all been waiting for… I present to you our great Lord. Our World Deity. Our Lord Uriel… Bow, lower your heads, feel and recognize his energy—engrave it into the deepest part of your souls."
"It's him!"
"My Lord Uriel, I am here!"
"Lord, look at me!"
—What? I have to speak?… They want to engrave my energy?… What do I even do?... I don't know what to say that Aeris and Zero haven't already said…
—I got it… an image speaks louder than a thousand words. If this doesn't work, I'll hide forever in a cabin deep in the forest, far away from civilization…
Uriel rose slowly, as if the very air respected him.
He took Daelvachor in his right hand and lifted it above his head. With a single perfect motion, he spun the scythe, leaving behind a perfectly circular red trail above him. A pulse of gray energy expanded outward, sweeping across the entire place. Daelvachor had entered its second state.
At that moment, Uriel activated his transformation: Primordial State. Black and red matter appeared once more, covering him completely, forming around him like a living chrysalis… before bursting apart in an explosion of light.
His silhouette emerged... black wings unfurled, a body formed of interwoven roots, long black hair, plant-like veins running from his eyes, a crown of branches upon his brow, and eyes red as the fiercest flame. Daelvachor gleamed with a crimson core like a blood-red star.
The power he released was overwhelming.